Chapter 48: 8th Floor. Labyrinth and Key (1)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 48: 8th Floor. Labyrinth and Key (1)
“Oho?”
An exclamation escaped Kang Jun-hyeok’s lips.
Until now, the rewards for passing a test had been a hundred Gold at most—maybe a thousand if he was lucky. He had expected a similar amount this time, but he never imagined he would be given a choice.
Is this the power of an EX Rank?
It was unexpected, but a welcome surprise. Jun-hyeok carefully examined each option.
The first option was an amount of Gold befitting the rank. It would likely be a staggering sum—at least tens of thousands of Gold. He could probably buy dozens of low-rank skills with that much.
However, he immediately ruled out the Gold. The other options were far too attractive to settle for mere currency.
The fourth option is tempting, too.
It wasn't very useful right now, but as he climbed higher, he was bound to meet them—the blacksmith NPCs who crafted and enhanced equipment using raw materials.
Considering that, special materials were quite valuable. Equipment crafted by a master blacksmith was often far superior to standard floor rewards.
But for Jun-hyeok, the first and fourth options were never truly in the running.
Unique equipment or a Unique skill.
Items and abilities created specifically for him, and him alone.
Those held a value that couldn't be measured in Gold or materials. They were things he could only obtain now, tailored specifically to his needs. They were essentially Unique Grade rewards.
So, which should he choose: equipment or a skill?
Jun-hyeok fell into deep thought.
Both had clear advantages. Equipment would likely provide an immediate, intuitive boost. He would receive gear at a level incomparable to what he currently wore, making his ascent up the tower much smoother.
On the other hand, he had no idea what kind of skill he would get. Passive, active, buff, defensive, offensive—the possibilities were endless.
However...
Jun-hyeok made his decision.
“The third option. I’ll take the Unique Skill.”
Equipment might provide excellent stats for now, but it ultimately had its limits. Specifically, he could only equip ten pieces at a time.
No matter how great a piece of gear was, a better one would eventually appear as he climbed the tower. Everything was destined to be replaced sooner or later.
Skills were different. There was no limit to the number of skills he could possess. Accumulating them was always a long-term benefit.
[Selection complete.]
[Based on your performance to date, your current stats and skills, and your progress in the tower, the most suitable skill will be provided.]
[Checking...]
What would it be?
Jun-hyeok waited with bated breath. After a moment, the process finished.
[Check complete.]
[You have acquired the Unique Passive Skill: Omni-Weapon Control.]
“...Hmm?”
[Hmm?]
Jun-hyeok’s eyes widened. Even the Master of All Weapons, who had been watching silently, let out a confused sound. The system continued its announcement indifferently.
[Congratulations on passing the test with flying colors. We shall meet again at the next test.]
* * *
Back on Earth, Jun-hyeok muttered to himself.
“Omni-Weapon Control?”
[It sounds like a technique for handling me. What is it?]
The reward Jun-hyeok received was a passive skill called Omni-Weapon Control. The name clearly suggested a connection to the Master of All Weapons.
“Hold on. Let me check.”
Jun-hyeok opened his skill window.
[Passive Skill: Omni-Weapon Control]
• Rank: Unique
• Proficiency: F
• Description: A technique for handling the Master of All Weapons, which can store ten thousand weapons. You have become proficient in wielding the Master of All Weapons. The speed of the usage process increases, and you can now draw two weapons at once.
“...Huh?”
Jun-hyeok looked puzzled. He didn't understand it at first, but after a moment of reflection, the realization hit him.
“It means exactly what it says.”
[A technique for handling me? You were given a passive skill like that?]
“Let’s test it out.”
Jun-hyeok pulled a greatsword out of the Master of All Weapons. Then, he put it back and pulled out a dagger.
The entire sequence was noticeably smoother and faster than before.
Next, Jun-hyeok drew the greatsword while still holding the dagger. A dagger in one hand, a greatsword in the other—he held both simultaneously.
Jun-hyeok nodded in understanding.
“So that’s how it works.”
[Is the system forcing a correction on your movements?]
Seeing the display, the Master of All Weapons understood as well.
The Unique Passive Skill, Omni-Weapon Control.
It was, quite literally, an upgrade to his ability to use the Master of All Weapons.
Originally, there was a brief time lag when putting a weapon back into the Master of All Weapons and drawing another. That lag had been significantly reduced.
Of course, the delay had only been a fraction of a second to begin with, so it wasn't a major issue at this stage.
However, as he climbed the tower, both he and his enemies would grow stronger. Even a split second could change the outcome of a battle. In fact, when he fought the Servant of Hunger in the Rift, he’d had to act and buy time just to throw a spear because of that very time lag.
That wasn't all. According to the tower’s system, only one weapon could be used during combat. But with Omni-Weapon Control, he could now wield a weapon in each hand.
To put it simply, he could cast spells with a staff in one hand while slashing with a sword in the other.
“This is good.”
The Master of All Weapons was undoubtedly powerful, but it wasn't without its flaws. Beyond the time lag, the requirement to put a weapon away before drawing a new one made it difficult to react instantly in battle.
This Unique Skill solved all of those problems.
It was an excellent skill.
He could also understand why he received a skill related to the Master of All Weapons. After all, it was the tool he used most while climbing the tower. It wasn't an exaggeration to say he had made it this far largely thanks to this one item.
[A technique for handling me... It’s a strange feeling.]
The Master of All Weapons sounded disgruntled. From its perspective, it probably didn't feel great to have a "technique for handling it" given out as a reward.
Jun-hyeok happily opened the Shop.
“I’d like to buy a mid-rank skill.”
[A mid-rank skill...? You already earned fifteen thousand Gold...?]
“I had a good opportunity,” Jun-hyeok said with a broad grin.
In the Resting Place of Comfort, he had dueled a total of eight top-tier players. In exchange, he had taken all the Gold they possessed.
While some had spent all their Gold just to pass the test, others had been saving up to buy low-rank skills. As a result, he had managed to scrape together just over fifteen thousand Gold.
Pixie muttered, looking dumbfounded.
[...There probably isn't a single person on this planet who has bought a mid-rank active skill yet, and you already have two...]
Jun-hyeok purchased a High-Rank Active Skill Box from Pixie. Then, he looked at her with a mysterious expression.
“Aren’t you curious?”
How he passed the test.
What he got as a reward.
And how he managed to get fifteen thousand Gold.
Pixie’s eyes wavered for a moment.
[I... I don't care!]
But then, she let out a shrill shriek and flew away.
“She’s more stubborn than I thought. I figured she’d give in by now.”
[It should be soon. Instincts aren't something a species can overcome easily.]
He just had to wait patiently. Jun-hyeok opened the box.
[Active Skill: Sword Ki and Sword Wind]
• Rank: Mid-Rank
• Proficiency: F
• Cooldown: 60 minutes
• Description: Swing your weapon to fire sharp sword ki. The type of sword ki changes depending on the type of weapon used.
“Sword Ki and Sword Wind, huh?”
Jun-hyeok’s eyes sparkled.
It was an offensive mid-rank active skill. Its effect was the projection of sword ki.
Like most skills, it was very straightforward. It was exactly like the sword ki found in martial arts novels.
Given the name, its power was immense. If it landed a direct hit, it could likely wound even the ox-headed monster he had faced in the test. The Master of All Weapons let out a hollow laugh.
[I knew it, but this is still absurd.]
What was sword ki?
Among the countless martial artists in the Murim, it was a technique that could only be mastered by those born with innate talent who had also undergone endless, grueling training to reach the pinnacle of their craft.
Even then, firing sword ki was a feat only a few of those masters could achieve—a manifestation of supreme talent and effort. Yet Jun-hyeok had acquired it just by opening a box.
[This system is truly selfish.]
“It’s a mid-rank skill. This much is expected.”
In contrast, Jun-hyeok remained calm.
Skills were inherently selfish. They trampled over external techniques, skill, and talent as if mocking them. What mattered was how well one utilized those skills.
Now then.
Quite some time had passed since the test ended. The penalties for those who failed should have been distributed by now. He expected a wide range of reactions.
Jun-hyeok opened the Community.
[Kang Ji-an (3rd Floor): ...What? This is the penalty?]
[Luton Oliver (2nd Floor): No, wait. What is this? This is all the penalty is?]
The reactions were bizarre.
Those who had received the penalty weren't despairing or depressed; they were confused.
Jun-hyeok, however, wasn't surprised. In fact, he looked like he had expected this.
“Some things never change.”
* * *
“A-Aaaah! Aaaaah!”
A few minutes earlier.
A man was wailing in his room. He was someone who had just reached the 4th Floor and had already given up on the tower.
Naturally, he had failed the test. He was on the verge of a panic attack, terrified of what the penalty might be. And then, the moment finally arrived.
[Hello. Our records show that you failed to pass the first test. This is a very unfortunate and disappointing result. A corresponding penalty will be issued.]
The system window was cold and formal. Terror washed over the man’s face. The system window calmly delivered the penalty.
[You are prohibited from entering the tower for one month.]
[Furthermore, you are excluded from the second test.]
[However, you may participate in the third test if you can prove your achievements.]
[This is the penalty issued to you.]
[It is a truly terrifying penalty. Do you understand? Now, reflect on your failure and climb the tower diligently in one month!]
The system window vanished.
The man, who had been in the depths of despair, blinked in surprise.
“...Huh?”
* * *
Back to the present.
The failures who had seen their penalties were posting all sorts of relieved messages on the Community.
The penalty was nothing. It just stopped them from climbing the tower for a while. It even automatically excluded them from the next test.
If the penalty was only this much, there wasn't even a reason to climb the tower in the first place.
[Kang Ji-an (3rd Floor): Isn't this a benefit rather than a penalty?]
Someone’s comment echoed the general sentiment of the failures. A sense of relief spread throughout the entire Community.
But anyone with half a brain would realize the truth.
There had been a first test. Information had been given that there would be a second and even a third test. And the system had described being unable to climb the tower for a month as a "terrifying penalty."
Why was that a penalty? Why did the tests keep coming?
If they gave it even a moment’s thought, they should have been terrified instead of relieved.
But no such person was in sight. Everyone was simply relieved that they didn't have to climb the tower.
“Tsk.”
Jun-hyeok clicked his tongue.
In his past life, he had realized the meaning of the penalty and tried to warn people. He had tried to persuade them and get them back on their feet, telling them they had to climb the tower now.
But it had no effect. Nothing was more meaningless than the words of others. He had wasted precious time in his past life doing that.
“They’re on their own.”
He had no intention of doing that this time. Those who couldn't grasp the situation would simply be left behind.
His job was to climb the tower.
Jun-hyeok calmly began his entry into the next floor.